Versilia in TascaChristmas in Viareggio 2026: lights, nativity scenes and things to do with kids
Christmas in Viareggio has a flavour of its own: lights among the palm trees of the Passeggiata, the scent of the sea and roast chestnuts, Burlamacco peeking out next to the tree. It isn't an Alpine nativity-scene town, but it offers plenty for children, and within half an hour you reach Santa's villages in Forte dei Marmi and Lucca. Here's what we know about Christmas 2026, what happened last year and where to check the programme, which for Viareggio hasn't been published yet.
The lights in Viareggio and Torre del Lago
On 20 October 2026 Viareggio council approved the lights and decorations project for the 2026/2027 holidays, worth over €120,000: lights, themed decorations and Christmas trees in the streets and squares of Viareggio and Torre del Lago, with new streets included compared with previous years. The switch-on date hasn't been announced yet.
For reference, in 2025 the Christmas tree in Piazza Mazzini was lit on 5 December with a choir, and for the first time there was also a tree on the Torre del Lago belvedere. The best view is a sunset walk along the Passeggiata, from the illuminated palms to the pier.
Lights among the palms of the Passeggiata and Burlamacco next to the tree: that's Christmas in Viareggio.
Things to do with kids in Viareggio
The 2026 programme isn't out yet, but these are the activities that have been at the heart of Viareggio's Christmas in recent years:
- Ice rink: "Viareggio on Ice" in Piazza Margherita, on the Passeggiata, was open from 27 November 2025 to 11 January 2026, with skate hire, helmets, a "penguin" skating aid for beginners and visits from Santa and the Befana. In 2025 tickets cost €10 to €15.
- Funfair: in 2025 in Piazza d'Azeglio, with rides for younger children.
- Workshops and readings: in 2025 the foyer of the Gran Teatro Puccini hosted two days of free family activities before Christmas.
- The Befana: on 6 January 2026 there was the "Run and walk with the Befana" between the Pineta di Levante and Viale dei Tigli.
The 2026 dates are usually announced between late November and early December on the Viareggio council website and social channels: check there before planning.
Santa near Viareggio (2026 dates confirmed)
Forte dei Marmi is the easiest destination with kids: from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 the Fortino Leopoldo I hosts Santa's Kingdom, with the ice rink in the Tarabella pine wood and the market in Piazza Dante. There's a packed calendar of Christmas workshops for children: an Advent calendar on 29 November, letters to Santa on 4 December, personalised baubles on 12 December, workshops with the elves from 21 to 24 December and the Befana's secrets in early January. On 6 January at 3pm the Befanas on stilts arrive in Piazza Garibaldi.
In Lucca, with Lucca Magico Natale from 22 November, Santa's Village is this year at the Cavallerizza in Piazzale Verdi, at the foot of the Walls, with the IcePark nearby. On 5 January Befana songs are sung in the villages, and on the 6th the Befana arrives in Piazza San Francesco. It's easy by train: trip to Lucca.
Nativity scenes in Versilia
The nativity tradition is strongest in the villages. In Camaiore the council organises the Nativity Trail (Percorso dei Presepi) through churches and squares, with some living nativity scenes in the hamlets: the 2025/2026 edition ran from 20 December to 11 January, while the 2026/2027 one hasn't been announced yet. In Lucca you can see classic, contemporary and traditional nativity scenes in churches and palazzi, many with handmade figurines from the Serchio Valley. Many churches in Viareggio also set up their own crib: ask the parish about opening times.
An afternoon in Torre del Lago
2026 is a special year for the Villa Museo Puccini, which celebrates its centenary with a calendar of events: on 29 November for the anniversary of the composer's death and on 4 December at 4pm with the talk "Armonie di bellezze diverse". With older children the lakeside villa takes about an hour, followed by a sunset walk on the belvedere (see Torre del Lago and the lake).
Holiday tips
- Combine: morning by the sea on the Passeggiata, afternoon at Santa's village in Forte, dinner in the Darsena.
- On rainy days, Viareggio's museums are a good plan B (Viareggio in winter).
- Typical gifts? New olive oil, local sweets and Carnival souvenirs. Find ideas at the Christmas markets in Versilia.
- After Epiphany it's already Carnival time: the 2027 edition starts on 30 January (all about the Carnival).
Frequently asked questions
When are Viareggio's Christmas lights switched on in 2026?
The project was approved on 20 October 2026, but the switch-on date hasn't been announced yet. In 2025 the Piazza Mazzini tree was lit on 5 December.
Is there an ice rink in Viareggio?
In recent years yes: «Viareggio on Ice» in Piazza Margherita, in 2025 from 27 November to 11 January. The 2026 dates aren't out yet; in Forte dei Marmi the rink is confirmed from 28 November 2026 to 15 January 2027.
Where can we see Santa near Viareggio?
At Santa's Kingdom in the Fortino of Forte dei Marmi (28 November 2026 – 6 January 2027) and at Lucca's Santa's Village in the Cavallerizza, Piazzale Verdi.
Where can I see nativity scenes in Versilia?
In Camaiore with the Nativity Trail through churches and hamlets, usually from late December to early January, and in the churches of Viareggio and Lucca.
Sources: Luccalive, 20 ottobre 2026, LaVersilia.it – Natale a Viareggio 2025, Comune di Viareggio – Viareggio on Ice 2025/2026, VisitForte – Natale al Forte 2026/2027, Comune di Camaiore – Percorso dei Presepi, Turismo Lucca – Lucca Magico Natale 2026, LaVersilia.it – Villa Museo Puccini. General information: opening times, prices and dates change, so always check the official websites.
